WildAid Launches Campaign to End Bushmeat Consumption Through Buddhist Philosophy

Drawing on the Buddhist philosophy of karma, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Hue, Van Hoa Doc Group, and Choice Not-for-Profit have partnered with WildAid to launch the “Karmic Consequences Painting Set” campaign, urging Vietnamese citizens to stop consuming bushmeat.  

At the heart of this initiative is a painting set—a visual representation of Buddhist teachings that vividly illustrates how actions lead to consequences. Through striking imagery, the paintings depict the suffering caused by hunting, trading, and consuming wildlife, reinforcing the spiritual and ecological importance of protecting all living beings. This campaign, launched in Hue during the 2025 Lunar New Year, aims to inspire the Buddhist community to reject bushmeat consumption and embrace a more compassionate way of life. 

Buddhism has been deeply woven into Vietnamese culture since the 2nd century BCE. Rooted in kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, it teaches people to live altruistically, to love, and to exist in harmony with nature. A fundamental tenet of Buddhist philosophy is respect for all living beings. Yet, according to WWF, Vietnam is among the top three Southeast Asian countries with the highest bushmeat consumption (along with Laos and Cambodia)—despite the immense suffering inflicted on wild animals hunted, traded, and killed for their meat. 

The bushmeat trade thrives in Vietnam, with wild animals openly sold in markets, discreetly served in restaurants, and even advertised on social media. Shocking images reveal animals being slaughtered, hung, or displayed as “specialties” to entice consumers seeking exotic delicacies. To meet market demand, hunters in rural areas rely on the trade for income, while intermediaries exploit legal loopholes for profit. Consumers, in turn, view bushmeat as a luxury, a symbol of good fortune, or a way to impress guests—especially during Tết, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year. 

Tết is a time for reflection, renewal, and a commitment to living more virtuously. Recognizing this, the campaign integrates Buddhist teachings on karma with a series of lectures and discussions that make the message of wildlife conservation both accessible and profound. With the support of the Buddhist Sangha—a community of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners—Buddhists and visitors to temples will receive the painting set, a powerful educational tool that visually conveys the deep interconnection between actions and their outcomes. These paintings emphasize that respecting all living beings is essential to maintaining nature’s balance.

This initiative calls on the Buddhist community to take a stand against the consumption of bushmeat and wildlife products and to embrace a way of life that is compassionate, ethical, and in harmony with nature. 

“According to Buddhist perspectives, all life is precious. Therefore, the Buddha taught the precept of non-killing. Non-killing here doesn’t only mean not taking human life but also respecting and protecting everything related to life,” said Venerable Thich Hue Phuoc, Permanent Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Hue City. “We rely on the ecosystem for our survival. The health and well-being of this ecosystem depend on our society. Therefore, programs to protect animals, the environment, and food safety are something we should all cherish.” 

“Protecting wildlife requires close and long-term cooperation between the government, social organizations, and individuals. In particular, the role of the religious community in this effort cannot be overlooked. Religious philosophies emphasize balance and harmony in the universe, guiding people toward Truth – Goodness – Beauty. Protecting wildlife is about conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance, a key factor for human survival,” said Mr. Tran Thanh Kim Tien, MarComms Director at Choice. 

Many wildlife species are on the brink of extinction. Act now by signing the Say No to Bushmeat pledge and join us in ending the hunting and consumption of wild animals for a sustainable future for generations to come. 

Contact: 

Trần Thanh Kim Tiền (Mr.) 

MarComms Director, Choice Not-for-profit 

Phone number: : (+84) 76 7856 579 

Email: tientran@choicevn.com